I have some questions regarding documents to be verified while buying a weapon belonging to renowned shots and TR person and its legality.There have been very mixed suggestions/comments and thats the reason why I would like to get valuable comments from members here. Hope members would be able throw light on my questions which would be helpful to many people.

The question is about buying a gun which have been imported by renowned shots or through TR route.

1. Can/Could a renowned shot import any pistol other than one from his category (apparently this has been stopped since last year)? If yes then when can he legally sell it to a gun house or an individual who is not a shooter? And if sold to Gun house, then what papers should I check from the Gun house to ascertain the information so I that its not an illegal purchase?

2. From what I know TR weapons are not allowed to be sold till the lifetime of the person importing. Is this correct or there has been any relaxation in the rules and if yes then again what papers should I be checking for a weapon in this category from a Gun house or an said TR individual?

3. In DGFT's GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING EXPORTS AND IMPORTS Chapter 2 there is a mention in section 2.43.2 (b)"Transfer of Imported Firearms will not require permission from DGFT (a) after 10 years of import or (b) on attaining the age of 60 years by such importer."Who is this applicable to?

I am asking these questions because after talking to some Gun houses I am confused as some say its not exactly legal to buy a weapon owned by Renowned shot and TR while some say that its perfectly legal. So now I am worried that I shouldn't be duped by people just to make money.

I am a new license holder and intend to buy a weapon, so I wanted to get as much information as possible, before I go ahead and buy a weapon.

Hi Musale, Point No.3 above, refers to point No.2 above. It is perfectly legal to buy from either Renowned Shots or from TR weapon importers, as long as they have permission to sell issued by their LA's subject to Arms Rules and G.O's/ Notifications.

As for point No.1, a renowned shot in handguns normally is allowed to import Revolvers/Pistols in .22LR in Rimfire and .32 S&W Long; .38 Spl. in centerfire categories subject to barrel length restrictions (minimum 4-1/2" I think).

However, AFAIK ISSF does not restrict the usage of other calibers such as .30 Luger or the usage of Revolvers in .357 Mag(firing .38 Spl) as long as the bullet being fired is a wadcutter/target type and is made of lead (meaning not jacketed).I could be wrong on part or the entire statement (members please add or correct me).

I herd that this was being used to import a lot of .357 revolvers and re-sold( legally after 2 years), but has now resulted in a situation where a renowned shot in pistol categories has to shoot the required MQS for 3 years continously to be able to import a .357 revolver/pistol.(Again members please correct me if I am wrong)I dont know whether this is a fact or a rumour, but this seems to be the situation.

Musale wrote:1. Can/Could a renowned shot import any pistol other than one from his category (apparently this has been stopped since last year)? If yes then when can he legally sell it to a gun house or an individual who is not a shooter? And if sold to Gun house, then what papers should I check from the Gun house to ascertain the information so I that its not an illegal purchase?

2. From what I know TR weapons are not allowed to be sold till the lifetime of the person importing. Is this correct or there has been any relaxation in the rules and if yes then again what papers should I be checking for a weapon in this category from a Gun house or an said TR individual?

3. In DGFT's GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING EXPORTS AND IMPORTS Chapter 2 there is a mention in section 2.43.2 (b)"Transfer of Imported Firearms will not require permission from DGFT (a) after 10 years of import or (b) on attaining the age of 60 years by such importer."Who is this applicable to?

1. If a firearm has been imported by a renowned shooter availing custom duty exemption, he/she may sell the same after obtaining NOC from NRAI. Once it has been sold to another individual, that person does not need any additional paperwork to further resell it. If custom duty has been paid by the renowned shooter, as far as I know there is no need even for NOC.

2. That used to be the case, but now what you have mentioned under point / question 3 is applicable. Also, if the TR is availed by someone from Indian Foreign Service/ Diplomats, even these caveats do not apply and they are free to sell the firearm without any encumbrance.

3. This applies to anyone (other than Diplomats) who imports a firearm under TR rules.

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